Spáleniště

Spáleniště is a small natural monument in the Šumava mountains, tucked into the valley of an unnamed left tributary of the Horský stream, roughly four kilometers south of the village of Přední Výtoň. The site falls within the Šumava Protected Landscape Area (CHKO Šumava) and administratively belongs to the Český Krumlov district. This is a place for nature enthusiasts rather than sightseers chasing dramatic views — its value lies in a well-preserved spring and wetland ecosystem rather than scenery.

Why is this area protected?

The protection status comes from a complex of springs and wetlands in the stream valley. These types of ecosystems are among the most fragile and fastest-disappearing habitats in Central European mountain ranges — they regulate local water balance, filter water flowing down from the surrounding slopes, and create a distinct microclimate that supports plant and animal species rarely found outside such areas.

What makes Spáleniště important for wildlife?

The wetlands and springs in the valley serve primarily as a food source for the European moose (Alces alces), a species considered endangered in the Czech Republic. Moose presence in the Šumava region is relatively rare on a national scale, which makes preserving enclaves like this one directly relevant to the survival of the local population.

Where exactly is Spáleniště located?

The area lies within the so-called Svatotomášská hornatina, a highland range in the Šumava mountains that in the 19th century stretched roughly from Dolní Vltavice to Přední Výtoň. Besides Spáleniště, this same range contains two other nature reserves: Medvědí hora and Světlá. The proximity of these three protected sites means the wider region forms an extensive, largely untouched mosaic of mountain, forest, and wetland habitats.

What should visitors know before going?

Spáleniště has no developed tourist infrastructure or marked educational trails — it is protected primarily for its ecological value, not for views or recreation. Visitors are advised to move carefully, avoid disturbing the wetland areas, and keep noise to a minimum, since the area is home to shy wildlife, including the moose mentioned above. The village of Přední Výtoň itself is the nearest orientation point, with trails leading further into the Šumava mountains from there.

Frequently asked questions

What is Spáleniště? It is a natural monument in the Šumava mountains protecting a complex of springs and wetlands in a stream valley, located in the Český Krumlov district.

Why is the area protected? Because of a unique spring-and-wetland ecosystem that serves as a food base for the endangered European moose.

Where is Spáleniště relative to Přední Výtoň? About four kilometers south of the village, within the Šumava Protected Landscape Area.

Are there other similar protected areas nearby? Yes — the same Svatotomášská hornatina range also contains the Medvědí hora and Světlá reserves.